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Former congressman and seemingly perennial maverick Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is set to hit the stage at this year's Manning Centre Networking Conference, where he will share his thoughts on the world around him during a Q&A session led by Manning himself.
Also on the #MNC2013 agenda today:- Lightning-round debates on 'Big Tent Conservativism' -- and, more specifically, the 'possible sticking points' between social conservatives and libertarians, Red and Blue Tories, and green conservatives and 'enviroskeptics'
- A discussion on conservative foreign policy, with speakers to include former diplomat Colin Robertson, former PMO policy and research director Mark Cameron, former Citizenship and Immigration Minister Monte Solberg and Rideau Institute director Steven Staples
- Concurrent sessions on 'advancing conservatives politically' with current Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Minister of State for Small Business Maxime Bernier, and women in politics with Conservative MPs Michelle Rempel, Joan Crockatt and Candice Bergen
- 'After Attawapiskat', which looks at new approaches to the age-old issue of aboriginal policy, with former Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl and former PMO chief of staff Guy Giorno, as well as former Kamloops Indian Chief Manny Jules
- An examination of the current state of the conservative movement in the United States with former PMO chief of staff Ian Brodie, former US ambassador David Wilkins, US political commentator Bill Whittle and Heritage Foundation 'chief Spanish language spokesman' Israel Ortega
- Panel discussions on conservatives in municipal politics, revamping the equalization system and 'breaking up the health care monopoly
- The release of the latest findings on Canadian public opinion in certain key conservative areas, which will be presented by pollster Andre Turcotte and 'electoral data expert' Mitch Wexler
by kady o'malley via twitter edited by Kady O'Malley 3/8/2013 12:17:14 PM -
Update: I have arrived at #MNC2013! Ron-mentum to get underway at 9:15 or so!by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 1:50:24 PM
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In the interim, behold the Free Speech Wall! #MNC2013 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BE1uAfeCEAAmxF9.jpg
by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 1:51:13 PM -
Still more free speech in convenient wall art form! #MNC2013 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BE1uKkHCYAAXNbe.jpg
by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 1:51:56 PM -
Wow. #ManningFest has gotten all ... corporate. #MNC2013 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BE1uxYRCQAAxahC.jpg
by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 1:54:33 PM -
There is also a rather large police presence, presumably due to today's Very Special Guest. #MNC2013by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 1:56:51 PM
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I've now snuck into the opening session, which is just about to wrap up to make way for Ron Paul. #MNC2013by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 1:58:12 PM
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Tiny, fuzzy (due to flashlessness) but still feisty - @ezralevant, 'enviroskeptic'! #MNC2013 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BE1wEc3CUAEA50f.jpg
by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:00:13 PM -
It's literally standing room only, by the way, and even the wall is running out of space. #MNC2013by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:01:23 PM
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(That's the actual, non-metaphorical wall, not the Free Speech Wall, just to be clear.) #MNC2013by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:01:47 PM
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Confession: I sort of want a #MNC2013 swag bag.by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:04:07 PM
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Ahh, Preston Manning, who seems to become more partisan-transcendent and serene with every passing year. #MNC2013by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:04:53 PM
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(Manning will provide hosting/question-asking services for the Ron Paul session.) #MNC2013by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:05:14 PM
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The crowd (and the media table) await Ron Paul. #MNC2013 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BE1x4WpCEAAoSn9.jpg
by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:08:08 PM -
We've now been instructed to introduce ourselves to 'at least two people' we don't know as the stage is set for the Paulification. #MNC2013by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:09:02 PM
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(If anyone wants to make me one of their two new friends, I'm sitting on the riser.) #MNC2013by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:09:32 PM
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There is boisterous music playing! #MNC2013by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:09:51 PM
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New Kadypost: Liveblog: Full coverage of the Manning Centre Networking Conference #MNC2013 http://dlvr.it/33LXDF #hwby kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:10:18 PM
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No one wants to speed network me, apparently. Sad face. #MNC2013 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BE1yt_iCIAEy80c.jpg
by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:11:47 PM -
Police-supervised #MNC2013 speed networking, even. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BE1y-A8CMAMwcrM.jpg
by kady o'malley via twitter 3/8/2013 2:12:53 PM